Light fixture having selectively positionable housing

Abstract

Light fixtures including a housing that acts as a heat sink, and additionally includes structure to selectively position the light fixture at different orientations. In certain embodiments, the light fixture includes a housing, a light source, and a bracket. Set of fins may protrude from the housing, and flanges may protrude from the bracket. In use, the flanges engage ribs on the housing to support the lighting fixture. By altering the engagement between the flanges and ribs, the light fixture may be re-positioned within the bracket in a number of different orientations, creating a number of light distribution options for the light fixture.

1. A light fixture comprising:
 a housing comprising a first side wall, a first set of fins protruding from the first side wall, a second side wall, a second set of fins protruding from the second side wall, and a trough; 
 a light source positioned in the trough of the housing; and 
 a bracket to receive the housing, the bracket comprising a first flange and a second flange, 
 wherein, when the first flange engages a first fin of the first set of fins and the second flange engages a first fin of the second set of fins, the housing is positioned at a first orientation within the bracket and wherein when the first flange engages a second fin of the first set of fins and the second flange engages a second fin of the second set of fins, the housing is positioned at a second orientation within the bracket. 
 
     
     
       2. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a heat-conducive material comprising aluminum, copper, steel, or nickel. 
     
     
       3. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the first flange comprises an upstanding arm and wherein the upstanding arm engages the first fin of the first set of fins. 
     
     
       4. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the first fin of the first set of fins extends at a first angle from the first side wall and the second fin of the first set of fins extends at a second angle from the first side wall, wherein the first angle and the second angle are different. 
     
     
       5. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the first fin of the first set of fins extends at a first angle from the first side wall and the first fin of the second set of fins extends at a second angle from the second side wall, wherein the first angle and the second angle are different. 
     
     
       6. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the first fin of the first set of fins extends at a first angle from the first side wall and the first fin of the second set of fins extends at a second angle from the second side wall, wherein the first angle and the second angle are the same. 
     
     
       7. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a channel between the first side wall and the second side wall. 
     
     
       8. A light fixture as in  claim 7 , wherein the light fixture further comprises a cover coupled to the housing and positioned at least partially over the channel. 
     
     
       9. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a first end and a second end and a cap positioned on each of the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       10. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , further comprising an optic coupled to the trough of the housing such that the optic at least partially covers the light source. 
     
     
       11. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one of a fluorescent lamp, an electrodeless high-intensity discharge lamp, an incandescent light bulb, or one or more light-emitting diodes. 
     
     
       12. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , further comprising a third set of fins protruding from the housing adjacent the trough. 
     
     
       13. A light fixture as in  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises mounting means to mount the light fixture to a surface. 
     
     
       14. A light fixture comprising:
 a housing comprising a first side wall, a first set of fins protruding from the first side wall, a second side wall, a second set of fins protruding from the second side wall, and a trough; 
 a light source positioned in the trough of the housing, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes; and 
 a bracket to receive the housing, the bracket comprising a first flange and a second flange, 
 wherein the housing may be positioned within the bracket in a first orientation and a second orientation, and 
 wherein, when the housing is in the first orientation, a first fin of the first set of fins engages with the first flange of the bracket, and a first fin of the second set of fins engages with the second flange of the bracket, and 
 wherein, when the housing is in the second orientation, a second fin of the first set of fins engages with the first flange of the bracket, and a second fin of the second set of fins engages with the second flange of the bracket. 
 
     
     
       15. A method for selectively positioning a light fixture, the light fixture comprising:
 a housing comprising a first side wall, a first set of fins protruding from the first side wall, a second side wall, a second set of fins protruding from the second side wall, and a trough; 
 a light source positioned in the trough of the housing; and 
 a bracket comprising a first flange and a second flange, and the method comprising: 
 positioning the housing within the bracket at a first orientation such that the first flange engages a first fin of the first set of fins and the second flange engages a first fin of the second set of fins; and 
 positioning the housing within the bracket at a second orientation such that the first flange engages a second fin of the first set of fins and the second flange engages a second fin of the second set of fins, 
 wherein the first orientation is different than the second orientation. 
 
     
     
       16. A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the bracket further comprises mounting means, and the method further comprises mounting the bracket to a surface using the mounting means. 
     
     
       17. A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the housing further comprises a channel between the first side wall and the second side wall, and the method further comprises positioning a power source within the channel. 
     
     
       18. A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the light source comprises at least one of a fluorescent lamp, an electrodeless high-intensity discharge lamp, an incandescent light bulb, or one or more light-emitting diodes. bulb, or one or more light-emitting diodes.